THE New Forest club have been struck with bad luck after a total of 11 games have either been postponed or abandoned for Bashley first team and the under 23’s so far this season – showing just how detrimental funding to support pitches and clubs is becoming.
Chairman Paul Lucas “They say we get funding from the FA, but we don’t. We barely get anything – we might get something to help pay for a shower for a female official, but nothing to help pay for the covering of the pitch or anything towards the gas bill. We just get little nitty gritty bits.”
“Don’t get me wrong that all helps, but we need funding for the bigger things because travel to away games can sometimes be up to six hours away – regionalisation of the league seriously needs to be looked at.”
However, the bad luck started before the postponements after a whopping 6-0 loss to Malvern Town and three days later knocking themselves out of the Russell Coates Cup after losing 1-0 to Fawley AFC.
Bashley currently sit 18th in the Southern League Division One South table with only 12 points to their name, winning four and losing seven.
Manager Ollie Cherrett was ‘frustrated’ when their game against Paulton Rovers was abandoned after 66 minutes due to torrential rainfall, despite Bashley being a goal up.
“I said to the ref that once you have one of the teams score, both teams will get really frustrated… he wanted to carry on, now it’s hammering it down it’s been abandoned.”
Ollie Cherrett
Because of the postponed games the club is currently sat dangerously close to the relegation zone, despite the season only being on for three months.
With many of their postponed matches still not having any replay dates yet, pressure is on their shoulders to ensure they do their best to gain back lost points.
Bashley’s next match is against Westbury United at the GlenMex stadium on Saturday 9 December with a 3pm kick-off.
